Golf bag carry apparatus

ABSTRACT

A harness attached to or adapted to be attached to a golf bag to be positioned about the shoulders and neck of the user. The apparatus is adapted to allow the golf bag to be adjusted to balance the weight of the golf bag and golf clubs to allow the user to walk while carrying the golf clubs.

[0001] The present invention relates to golf bags and more specifically to an apparatus such as a harness which may be attached to the golf bag and positioned about the shoulders and neck of the golfer to support the weight of the golf bag and golf clubs contained therein to assist in carrying the bag and clubs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many golfers in playing the game of golf refer to walk which provides exercise and in addition maintains the golfer's physical flexibility to assist in playing the game of golf. In many instances the golfer prefers to carry his bag as opposed to having a cabby do so. It has long been customary to fit a golf bag with a carry strap to go over the shoulder of the golfer to assist in supporting the weight of the golf bag and the golf gloves as opposed to having the golfer utilize a handle affixed to the bag. Although this type of mechanism has been used for a long period of time, and is successful and in many instances is still used, it has a tendency to apply an undue amount of weight to one shoulder of the golfer thus tending to tire out that portion of the body prior to the opposite shoulder.

[0003] To alleviate the foregoing, in the recent past a plurality of strap-type devices have been developed which may be affixed to a golf bag and adapted to fit over both shoulders of the golfer to assist in distributing the weight of the golf bag and the golf clubs evenly across the shoulder of the golfer. Such golf bag carrying straps take many forms and are attached to the golf bag in many different ways. In some instances, the straps are sewn directly into seams of the golf bag and thus become a permanent part of the golf bag. With such structures, if the strap breaks or becomes worn or the like, then the entire golf bag must be replaced. In other instances, there are special openings or fittings which are designed as a part of the golf bag when it is constructed through which the strap must pass in order to cause them to be properly situated for use by the golfer. Such special construction of the golf bag adds additional cost and also renders the golf bag useful only with the specific golf bag carry straps designed for use with it. Therefore, if the golfer grows tired of a particular type of golf bag carry strap, it could not be replaced on the specially designed bag and again the golfer would be required to buy a new bag.

[0004] The golf bag carry straps designed to fit over both shoulders do work reasonably well and do permit a better balancing of the weight on the shoulders of the golfer than was possible prior to their introduction. However, such devices tend to apply forces to the shoulders of the golfer not only in a downward direction, but a backward direction particularly when the golfer is walking. Thus, tending to apply an undesired weight or force to the golfer's body resulting in discomfort and recreating a situation where the golfer's upper body becomes tired.

[0005] The present invention resolves the problems existing in the prior art by providing a harness which includes a collar which fits around the neck and over the shoulders of the golfer and is constructed of a relatively wide padded material. A flap is affixed to the apex of the collar and extends downwardly from the neck along the back of the golfer. Attaching devices extend from the flap and from ends of the collar opposite the apex for engagement with appropriate fixtures on the golf bag to position the harness to be easily positioned about the neck and across the shoulders of the golfer.

[0006] A golf carry harness adapted for attachment at spaced apart positions on a golf bag and including collar manes fitting around the neck and over the shoulders of a golfer with a flap means affixed to the collar means at approximately the mid-point thereof. Means for attaching the collar means and the flap means extends therefrom for engagement with the golf bag at the spaced apart positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a golf bag carry harness constructed in accordance with the principals of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the harness of FIG. 1 attached to a golf bag;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the construction of the collar and taken about the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating in more detail the construction of the flap means;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one means for attaching the harness of the present invention to the golf bag;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating an alterative means for attaching the harness to the golf bag;

[0013]FIG. 7 is another alternative means for attaching the harness to the golf bag;

[0014]FIG. 8 is yet another alternative means for affixing the harness to the golf bag; and

[0015]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a golfer carrying golf bag utilizing the golf carry harness of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The golf bag carry harness of the present invention provides an apparatus which the golfer may utilize to very easily and with great comfort support the weight of the golf bag and the golf clubs contained therein when the golfer is walking during the playing of a round of golf. The weight of the golf bag and the golf clubs is evenly distributed over the shoulders and across the back of the golfer as a result of a padded collar which fits around the back of the neck and immediately over the shoulders and down the front of the golfer. The manner in which the collar is attached to the golf bag maintains the collar in this position. As a result the collar is very easy to slip into and requires little or not effort to be positioned to accomplish the desired distribution of the weight. The attachments means is adjustable to allow the golfer to create the desired pitch for a golf bag and golf clubs to prevent the clubs from falling out of the bag and yet to provide comfort and the appropriate weight distribution for the golfer and to position the golf bag across the golfers back in such a manner as to minimize bumping or swinging of a golf bag against the back of the golfer.

[0017] Referring now to Me drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf bag carry harness of the present invention is shown, The primary elements of the harness are a collar 10 and a flap 12. The collar 10 includes an apex 14 which is substantially centrally disposed between distal ends 16 and 18 thereof. The flap 12 is axed as by stitching or like at the apex 14 of the collar 10. The apex 14 of the collar 10 is designed in a curvilinear fashion so that the interior portion 20 thereof will rest comfortably about the neck of the golfer. Continuing from about the neck region 20 the collar defines a first region 22-24 which rests upon the right and left shoulders respectively of the golfer. The right arm 26 of the collar extends downwardly over the chest of the golfer and terminates at the distal point or end 16. Likewise, the left arm 28 extends downwardly from the left shoulder of the golfer over the golfer's chest and terminates at the distal point or end 18. The arms 26 and 28 may be viewed as the chest portions of the collar.

[0018] By referring no more particularly to FIG. 3, the internal construction of the collar 10 is illustrated. As is therein shown, the collar 10 is constructed from a padding material such as polystyrene foam or the like 30 which includes a non-skid surface 32 which engages the neck, shoulder and chest region of the golfer when the harness is in position to carry the golf clubs. A layer 34 of heavy gauge cloth material such as canvas or the like is affixed to the padding 30 and covers the opposite surface 36 thereof. As is illustrated, the material 34 is affixed to the padding by stitching at 38 and by a tape 40 which is positioned over the material 34 and under the padding 30 at the edge 42 thereof and then is stitched in place. Thus, the heavy gauge cloth material 34 extends the entire length of the collar 10 and as will become apparent, hereinafter is the structural member which supports the weight of the golf clubs and the golf bag. The tape 40 extends along the entire outside edge of the collar 10. It should be noted that the tape 40 does not appear on the inside edge thus providing a greater amount of comfort to the wearer of the golf bag carry harness.

[0019] Flap 12 is constructed in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3. That is the outer surface 44 there is of is constructed from a heavy duty cloth material such as canvas or the like while the opposite surface 46 (FIG. 4) is a padding similar to that shown at 30 and FIG. 3. A tape 48 is positioned around the entire side and top edges of the flap 12 as viewed in FIG. 1. The top edge of the tape 48 is then positioned adjacent the outside edge of the tape 40 at the apex 14 of the collar 10 and the flap is then stitched in place as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 thereby permanently securing the flap 12 to the collar 10. Through utilization of a padding such as is illustrated in FIG. 3 for the interior surface 46 of the flap 12 the comfort to the golfer is enhanced.

[0020] Attachments means is provided for affixing the harness to a golf bag 50. Technically all golf bags include a shoulder strap which is attached to the golf bag at spaced apart positions. Traditionally, the attachment points would include such items as a ring 52 at the upper most portion of the bag and a second ring 54 displaced therefrom adjacent the pocket or pouch 56 of the golf bag which is used to carry golf balls and other golfing parafinalia. The rings 52 and 54 may be O-rings, D-rings or similar type of structure. Typically the shoulder strap is snapped into place at Me rings 52 and 54. For purposes of affixing the golf bag carry harness of the present invention, the shoulder strap may be removed and discarded and the collar and flap of the present invention then affixed as shown in FIG. 2. Generally, this attachment of the harness is accomplished by straps shown generally at 58 and 60 which extend from the distal point 16 and 18 of the collar 10 and from the lower portion of the flap 12 as shown.

[0021] As is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the distal point 16 of the chest portion 26 of the collar 10 includes a buckle 62 which is permanently affixed to a short strap 64 which in turn is securely stitched as shown at 66 to the distal point 16. Also extending from the distal point 16 is a strap 68. The strap 68 is disposed on the side opposite from the strap 64 and is also stitched securely and permanently in place by the stitching 66. Strap 68 loosely hangs from the distal point 16 of the chest portion 26 of the collar 10. To secure the distal point 16 to the golf bag 50, the strap 68 would be passed through the ring 52 and would then be returned to the buckle 62 where it would be passed through the appropriate openings and cinched in place to securely affix the distal end 16 to the golf bag 50, A buckle 72 and strap 70 is also affixed to the distal point 18 of the chest section 28 of the collar 10 in a manner substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 5.

[0022] Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4, the attachment means which is secured to the flap 12 is illustrated in greater detail. As is therein shown, a first strap 74 having buckles 76 and 78 is positioned in place along the edge 80 of the flap 12. An additional strap 82 is positioned on the opposite side from the strap 74 and such is shown in FIG. 4. The strap 82 is continuous and emends well beyond the buckles 76 and 78. Each of the straps 74 and 82 are continuous one piece straps. The two straps are stitched together along Me edge 80 of the flap 12 as is illustrated by the stitching 84 and 86. In this manner the strap 82 provides extensions or continuations 88 and 90 thereof which cooperate with the straps 668 and 72 to secure the golf bag carry harness of the present invention to the golf bag 50. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the strap 88 is passed through the ring 52 and is returned to the buckle 76 where it is then secured in place. Similarly, the strap 72 and the strap 90 are passed through the zing 54 returned to the buckles 70 and 78, respectively and are secured in place. It will be recognized that through the utilization of the straps and the buckles, the effective length of the straps 58 and 60 may be adjusted to position the golf bag in a manner to accommodate the desired pitch thereof as well as the distribution of the weight across the shoulders, neck and back of the golfer. The adjustment will also position the bag at the height desired by the golfer to make it more comfortable to carry the golf clubs.

[0023] All of the attaching means in the preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described as including straps and buckles which are affixed to a collar and flap 10 and 12. Other types of attachment means may be utilized. In each instance the attachment means will provide appropriate adjustment capability to position the golf bag as desired by the golfer to provide the ultimate in comfort in carrying the bag. One such alternative fastening or attaching means is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this instance, there is provided a strap 92 which has the appropriate Velcro attachment structure attached thereto as illustrated at 94 and 96. The and 98 of the strap 92 would be passed through one of the rings 52 or 54 depending upon where the strap 92 was attached, The strap would then be folded back upon itself and the two Velcro locking portions 96 and 94 brought together to secure the strap at the desired length to position the golf bag as above discussed.

[0024] In FIG. 7, an additional attaching means alternative embodiment is illustrated. In this instance, a strap 100 would have a snap hook 102 affixed permanently to the end 104 thereof. The snap would be inserted into the appropriate ring 52 or 54 depending upon where the strap 10 is attached. As is illustrated, a buckle member or similar such structure 106 would be disposed between the hook 102 and the portion of the strap 100 affixed to the harness. This buckle would be utilized to prevent movement of the hook toward or away the harness as is illustrated by the arrow 108 to accomplish the desired adjustment.

[0025] I reference now to FIG. 8 an additional strap 110 is illustrated with male and female snap members at 112 and 114 respectively. The end 116 of strap 110 would be inserted through one of the rings 52 and 54 depending upon where the strap 110 was attached and the male snaps 112 would be brought into an appropriate position to accomplish the desired adjustment with one or more of the female receptacles 114 for the snaps and upon being snapped into place adjustment would be accomplished and the harness would be affixed to the golf bag 50 as above described.

[0026] As is evident from the foregoing discussion, there nay be a variety of different attachment means. Any one of which could be utilized in order to accomplish the desired adjustment to position the golf bag carry harness constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and the desired position with regard to the golf bag to provide the ultimate in comfort to the golfer while walking the golf course carrying his bag.

[0027] I am referring now more specifically to FIG. 8, the golf carry harness is illustrated in position about the neck and over the shoulders and down the chest of the wearer. The straps 58 and 60 are properly affixed to the golf bag 50 and are adjusted to the length desired so that the golf bag rides comfortably across the back of the golfer slightly above the hips and across the waste. In this position the golf bag does not bounces is appropriately balanced and is easily taken off by the golfer and just as easily returned to position when it comes time to carry the bag. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf bag carry harness for use by an individual and adapted for attachment at first and second spaced apart positions on golf bag, said harness comprising: collar means fitting around the neck and over the shoulders of the individual and having first and second distal points disposed to be positioned one below each shoulder of said individuals; first means for attaching said first and second distal points to said first and second attachment positions respectively; flap means affixed to said collar means at a point substantially midway between said distal points and extending from said collar means down the back of said individual; and second means for attaching said flap means to said first and second attachment positions.
 2. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 1 , wherein said attaching means are adjustable to permit the position of said golf bag to be adjusted relative to said harness.
 3. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 2 , wherein said attaching means comprise straps and buckles.
 4. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 3 , wherein said buckles comprise four buckles, one affixed to each distal point and two spaced apart on said flap means.
 5. A golf bag harness as defined in claim 4 , wherein said straps comprise four straps one affixed to each distal point and two spaced apart on said flat means, said straps extending from said buckles and adapted to pass through this spaced apart attachment positions on golf bag and returned to its associated buckle.
 6. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 1 , wherein said collar means includes neck portion, first and second shoulder portions, and first and second chest portions, said chest portions terminating in said distal points.
 7. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 6 , wherein said collar means is padded at least in said neck and shoulder portions.
 8. A golf bag carry harness as defined in claim 7 , wherein said flap means is padded. 